Overview

• Japan’s government said the planned U.S. visit by top negotiator Ryosei Akazawa was canceled to rework details of the mission.
• Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi cited a need for further technical discussion, with reporting split on whether and when a trip will be rescheduled.
• Tokyo has been seeking a presidential order to lower U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos and parts to 15%, cap reciprocal levies at 15%, and prevent tariff stacking.
• The negotiations also hinge on formalizing a $550 billion investment mechanism, with profit‑sharing and governance described by U.S. officials as heavily favoring the United States and questioned by Japanese counterparts.
• Akazawa was removed from the expected roster, and previously planned meetings with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to discuss possible executive orders are on hold.